Souness On Rice: Arsenal's New Star Needs To Sharpen His Final Third Play

Hugo van Dijk

4 min read

Post on May 03, 2025

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Souness's Criticism and the Importance of Final Third Play

Souness, known for his insightful analysis, has voiced concerns about Rice's final-third contributions, suggesting a lack of decisiveness and creativity in the attacking phases of the game. This critique isn't unfounded; final-third play is pivotal for any team's attacking effectiveness. It's where goals are scored, chances are created, and the tempo of the game is dictated. A midfielder's ability to effectively contribute in the final third significantly impacts a team's overall attacking output.

• Lack of decisive passes in the final third: Too often, Rice opts for safe, sideways passes instead of ambitious, incisive through balls.
• Missed opportunities to create scoring chances: While defensively strong, his ability to convert possession into clear-cut scoring opportunities needs refining.
• Need for improved shot accuracy and decision-making in the attacking areas: His shot selection and accuracy require improvement. Too many shots are off target or poorly timed.
• Comparison to other top midfielders: Compared to midfielders like Kevin De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva, Rice's final-third output currently lags. These players consistently create chances and score goals.

Analyzing Rice's Current Strengths and Weaknesses

Rice's strengths are undeniable. He excels as a ball-winning midfielder, consistently regaining possession with timely tackles and interceptions. His physical presence dominates midfield battles, and his ability to break up opposition attacks is crucial to Arsenal's defensive structure.

However, his weaknesses in the final third are equally apparent:

• Passing accuracy in the final third: While his overall passing accuracy is good, it dips noticeably in the final third, hindering Arsenal's ability to penetrate defenses.
• Shot selection: Rice often takes shots from long range with low accuracy instead of waiting for better opportunities.
• Decision-making under pressure: In crucial moments near the opposition box, his decision-making falters, resulting in poor passes or lost opportunities.
• Creative playmaking abilities: Rice needs to improve his ability to unlock defenses with skillful passes, through balls, or clever dribbles.

Statistical analysis, though not readily available for precise final-third metrics, would reveal further insights. Tracking his key passes, pass completion percentage in the final third, and shots on target would paint a clearer picture.

Tactical Adjustments and Coaching Interventions

Arsenal's tactical setup may also contribute to Rice's final-third struggles. Arteta might need to provide Rice with more attacking freedom, allowing him to venture further forward and contribute creatively.

• More attacking freedom: Giving Rice more license to roam forward could allow him to develop a better understanding of attacking spaces and opportunities.
• Specific training drills focusing on final third passing and shooting: Targeted drills designed to improve his passing accuracy, shot selection, and decision-making under pressure are crucial.
• Mentorship from experienced players: Learning from experienced players like Odegaard could significantly enhance his final-third skills.

Potential for Improvement and Future Outlook

Despite his current limitations, Rice's potential is immense. At a relatively young age, he has time to refine his skills and become a more complete midfielder. With focused coaching and tactical adjustments, his final-third play can significantly improve.

Improved final-third play will translate directly into increased goals scored, a higher win percentage, and ultimately, greater success for Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League. Imagine the impact: more assists, more goals, and a more dynamic Arsenal attack.

Conclusion

Declan Rice is a valuable asset to Arsenal, bringing significant strength to their midfield. However, Graeme Souness's critique regarding his final-third play highlights a crucial area for development. Addressing his weaknesses in passing accuracy, shot selection, and decision-making will unlock his full potential. By implementing tactical adjustments, dedicated coaching interventions, and fostering a supportive environment, Arsenal can help Rice develop into the complete, world-class midfielder he aspires to be. While he already contributes significantly, improving his final-third play is key to reaching his full potential and becoming the complete midfielder Arsenal needs. Let's discuss – what strategies should Arsenal employ to help Rice sharpen his final-third play? Share your thoughts in the comments below!